Ice cube maker



Sept. 20, 1960 D. E. M LEOD 2,952,996

ICE CUBE MAKER Original Filed July 1, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

DAVID EARLE MACLEOD.

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 20, 1960 D. E. M LEOD 2,952,996

ICE CUBE MAKER Original Filed July 1, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

DAVID EARLE MACLEOD ayjf w w/ ATTORNEY.

placed" below the machine compartment.

United States Patent 01 2,952,996 Patented Sept. 26, 1960 ice ICE CUBEMAKER David E. MacLeod, Syracuse, N.Y., assignor to Carrier Corporation,Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Original application July 1,1950, Ser. No. 171,593,

now Patent No. 2,775,098, dated Dec. 25, 1956. Divided and thisapplication June '1, 1956, Ser. No. 588,727

4 Claims. c1. 62-347) This application is a division of my copendingapplication, Serial No. 171,593, filed July 1, 1950, now Patent No.2,775,098, issued December 25, 1956, entitled Ice Cube Maker and ControlMechanism Therefor, and relates to ice making apparatus in which ice isformed 'in a plurality of refrigerated, hollow, vertical tubes byflowing liquid through the tubes and, more particularly, to ice makingapparatus of this type including mechanism for supplying liquid to theice forming tubes.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide ice makingapparatus in which ice is formed in a plurality of refrigerated, hollowtubes by flowing liquid through the tubes and including, header meansfor supplying and distributing the liquid to the various tubes.

An object of the invention is to provide a water header for supplyingwater to the ice forming tubes of ice making apparatus. Other objectswill be readily perceived from the following description.

This invention relates to an ice making apparatus in which ice is formedin a plurality of refrigerated hollow vertical tubes by flowing liquidthrough the tubes which includes liquid headermeans for supplying liquidto the tops of the tubes, said liquid header means comprising ahorizontally extending pipe having one closed end to receive liquid froma source of supply, a series of distributing tubes extending downwardfrom the pipe to distribute liquid within the ice forming tubes, thefirst and second tubes of the series extending substantially flush withthe interior wall of the pipe, subsequent tubes of the series extendinginwardly from the interior wall of the pipe and having the extendedportion of each tube cut away to intercept liquid from the streamflowing into the pipe, the last tube of the series being substantiallyflush with the interior wall of the pipe, the tubes being so constructedand arranged within the pipe as to distribute liquid entering the pipein substantially uniform quantities to the ice forming tubes.

The attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of my inventionin which Figure 1 is a plan view, the casing being removed, of thedevice of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation, the casing being removed, of one sideof the device;

Figure 3 is a view in elevation, the casing being removed, of theopposite side of the device;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the refrigeration circuit;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the water circuit;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit for thecontrol; and

Figure 7 is a sectional View of the waterheader.

Referring to the drawings, there is disclosed an ice cube maker whichincludes a machine compartment 2 and an insulated ice storagecompartment or bunker 3 Preferably these compartments are formed asseparate elements being attached to one another when the ice cube makeris assembled at the place of use in order that the machine compartmentmay be utilized with bunkers of different capacity. It will beunderstood of course that the machine may be formed as a single unit ifdesired.

Machine compartment 2 includes standards 4 and braces 5 formingsupporting framework. Decorated removable metal sheets 6 are attached tothe frame to form the Walls of the machine compartment. Compartment 2may be insulated to prevent condensation on the surfaces of sheets 6.Storage compartment 3 is provided with an opening (not shown) throughwhich ice enters the storage compartment 3 after formation in machinecompartment 2. Removable and/or hinged lids 8 are provided to permiteasy access to and removal of ice from compartment 3 for use.

The machine elements are placed and supported in compartment 2. Suchelements include the ice forming members, the refrigerating andharvesting systems, the water supply system, the controls, and anelectrical circuit connecting the controls.

The ice forming member 9 includes a plurality of vertically extendingtubes 10 formed of stainless steel, tubes 10 having a plurality ofcopper bands or rings 11 placed about the exterior thereof, the bands 11being spaced from one another longitudinally on the tubes. The copperbands may be preformed and secured to the tubes by a friction fit or, ifdesired, molten copper may be sprayed on the tubes to form the bands,or, the tubes may be plated with copper bands. Tubes 10 are assembled intwo parallel rows and an overflow trough 12 is placed between theparallel rows for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Each tube 10 is formed from a single'sheet of metal in such manner thatits side wall 13 inclines downward and outward substantially uniformlythroughout the length of the tube so that the opening 14 in the bottomof the tube is greater in area than the opening 15 in the top of thetube. Two adjacent side walls have flanges extending outwardlytherefrom, the flanges being pressed together and welded, for example,to form the tube. The top of each tube is formed with a pitcher lip 16.

' The evaporator 17 of the refrigeration system is formed of a pluralityof coils 18, 19, 20, 21; coils 18, 19 being secured to the bands 11 onopposite sides of the first row of tubes 10 while coils 20, 21 aresecured to the bands 11 on opposite sides of the second row of tubes 10.If desired, coils 18, 19, 2t 21 may be flattened on one side to assure agreater area of contact with bands 11.

The ice forming member 9 is more fully described and claimed in thecopending application of Carlyle M. Ashley, Serial No. 171,621, filedJuly 1, 1950, now Patent No. 2,775,096, issued December 25, 1956, towhich reference is made for a more complete description.

Below the ice forming member 9 is an inclined deflector or guide 22 onwhich the pieces of ice fall from tubes 10 during the harvestingoperation and down which the ice slides into bunker 3. Deflector 22 maybe a suitable screen or grid to permit water to pass therethrough whilepreventing passage of ice cubes. Water from the tubes passes throughdeflector 22 into a sump as hereinafter explained.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown the refrigerating andharvesting circuit of the ice cube maker. Such circuit includes athermal hermetic compressor motor unit, the compressor 28 being actuatedby motor 29. Compressor 28 is connected by discharge line 30 tocondenser 31, preferably water cooled, although if desired, anair-cooled condenser may be employed. Liquid line 32 includes twocapillary tubes 33, 34 adapted to serve as expansion means to regulatesupply of liquid refrigerant to evaporator 17. A strainer and drier 35may be placed in line 32 between condenser 31 and capillaries 33, 34.Other expansion means may be employed if desired. Capillary 33 suppliesrefrigerant to coils 18, 19; capillary 34 supplies refrigerant to coils20, 21.

Each capillary as shown in Figure 4 is connected to a 7 return bend 36at approximately the central point betwen the two coils to whichitsupplies refrigerant.

Refrigerant passes from each of coils 18, 19, into a return header 37for return to compressor 28. Header 37 is connected by line 38 toaccumulator 39. A line 40 connects accumulator 39 to a secondaccumulator 41. Accumulator 41 is connected by suction line 42 to thecompressor 28. Accumulator 41 is also con ne'ctedby a drain line 43 tomotor 29 to permit oil and liquid refrigerant in accumulator 41 to passto the mo- 8 tor. Line 43 must be as short and as friction-free aspossible to olfer less resistance to refrigerant flow than the main line42. fTh is is an important feature since any liquid refrigerant drainingfrom accumulator 41 with the oil is returned to compressor. 28 over theheated coils of the motor, thus flashing the refrigerant to assure thatgaseous refrigerant only returns to the compressor, thereby avoidingexcessive wear .and tear of compressor elements.

Capillaries 33,. 34, are wrapped about accumulator 39 in heat exchangerelation therewith.

' A' heated refrigerant vapor line 44 connects the top of the condenser31 with a supply header 45 connected by lines 46 to coils 18, 19, 20,21. A solenoid valve 47 is placed in line 44 and closes the same to thepassage of heated refrigerant vapor. It will be appreciated line 44 mayconnect header 45 with the compressor 28 or line '30 if desired, to.permit heated refrigerant vapor to be supplied to coils 18, '19 20, 21to melt formed pieces of ice from the interior walls of tubes 10.

In Figure 5, the waterf distribution system is shown diagrammatically.Line 50 conducts water from a source of supply (not shown) to a sump orreservoir 51 placed in the bottom of machine compartment 2 below tubesand deflector 22." 'A float valve 52 regulates the level of water insump 51. "A drain line 53 may bleed a minor amount of water continuouslyfrom sump 51 'therebypreventing concentration of minerals in water inthe 'sump.' A pump P circulates water from sump 51 through lines- 54 towater headers 55 placed above the rows of tubes 10, V e

Water from headers 55 is dischargedagainst distributors 56 placed withintubes 10, the distributors directing or guiding the water toward oragainst the interior walls of tubes 10. The water flows through tubes 10in contact with the interior walls thereof, through deflector 22, andreturns or falls into sump 51. The water, of course, is cooled by itspassage through the refrigerated tubes 10 to substantially freezingtemperature; Thus cooled or chilled water not formed into ice iscontinuously recirculated through tubes 10 to reduce the time requiredfor ice formation and to increase the capacity of the machine. 7

Water header 55' as shown in Figure 7, consists of a horizontallyextending pipe 57, pipe 57 having a closed end 58. A series ofdistributing tubes 59 extend downward from pipe 57 to distribute waterwithin the tubes 10. One pipe or tube is provided for each ice formingtube 10 to assure adequate distribution of water to' each tube 10; Thefirst and second tubes 59 of the series extend substantially flush withinterior wall 60 of pipe 57. Subsequent tubes or pipes 59 of the seriesextend inward from the interior Wall 60, the extended portion 61 beingcut away as shown at 62 to intercept water p from the stream flowinginto pipe 57. The last tube of the series is also substantially flushwith the interior wall60 of pipe 57.

The passage of water through tubes 10 is ultimately prevented orretarded by the formation of ice in the tubes; The tubes overflow, thelip 16 on each "tube directing the water into trough 12 from whence it'takes a different path to return to sump 51.; The overflow 4 water intrough 12 drains therefrom through a line 71 connected to an S-shapedpipe arrangement 72 which forms an overflow well. Water from well 72returns to sump 51 through line 73; Well 72 contains an open leg 74which is connected, to line 71 as shown in Figure 5. Leg 74 of well 72-is-clamped-in contact with the heated refrigerant vapor line 44 of therefrigeration sys tem for a purpose hereinafter explained. 7

Toficontrol the refrigeration and harvesting cycles, a wide differentialthermostatic control is provided which includes a switch lever 81 (referto Figure 6) actuated by a thermal responsive system including a bellows82 connected to the switch lever 81 and a capillary tube 83 connectingbellows 82 witha bulb 84. The thermal responsive system contains atemperature responsive fill. 'Bulb 84 is placed in Well 72 and a portion83 of capillary tube 83 is placedin contact'with suction line 42.Preferably portion 83' is placed in contact with the portion of suctionline .42 .adjacent'cornpressor 28 to assure that it is affected aslittle as possible by lizplid refrigerant or wet liquid vapor floodingback to the compressor 28. -When water overflows from trough 12 intowell 72 it displaces water presentin well 72 and gradually cools bulb 84until it becomes the coldest point of the thermal responsive system,thereby governing thermostat 80 from such point; Switch lever 81 isaccordingly moved from a first position to a second position todiscontinue operation of pump P and to actuate the solenoid S of valve47, to open the heated refrigerant vapor line 44 to supply heatedrefrigerant vapor to'coils 18, '19, 20, 21 to thaw formed pieces ofice'from ,theinterior walls oftubes10. i V I V During the harvestingoperation, the heated refrigerant line 44 warms the wateriin well 72 sothat the control point shifts to portion -83 of capillary tube 83 whichis in contact with the suction line 42. Refrigerant passing through thesuction'lin'e is below the cut-in point of thermostat 80 so long as iceremains in tubes '10. As the last piece of ice isremoved from tubes 10,temperature in the suction line rises to the cut-in point of thethermostat, the thermostat then being actuated to start pump P and todiscontinue current'flow to solenoid S, thereby closing .valve'47 andresuming the refrigeration cycle. V p

A second thermostat control 87 is provided to discontinue operationofthe refrigeration system and the pump when a'desired quantity of iceispr'e sent'in the bunker. Control 87 includes a'switc'h lever 88, abellows' '89 connected'fb'y capillary tube 90 to' a bulb Q1 plac'edlinbunker' 3 adjacent the top thereof. A suitable fill is presen't'inbellows 89, capillary'tube 90 and bulb 91. When a predetermined quantityof ice is present in bunke'r 3, bulb 91 is cooled, thereby actuatingthermostat 87 to open the circuit to control 80 and the compressor-28,'discontinuing operation of the system. Upon removal of ice frombunker 3, bulb 91 warms to a point at which thermostat 87 is againactuated to close the circuit, permitting supply of current to actuatethe compressorand control 80.

Preferably ahig'h pressure cut-out control 92 is provided as a safetycontrolfcontrol 92 being responsive to head'press'ure to shut do'wn thsystem upon the occurrence of a pressure so high-that it might harmelements of the system. In Figure'6, I have shown the electrical circuitconnecting the various controls and actuating elements offthe device. Amanual double pole single-throw switch or single pole, sing 1e throwswitch .93 is employed to actuate'the device. The remaining elements areconnected in'the "circuit as shown.

As previously described, a water-cooled condenser 31 is employed for therefrigeration system; Condenser 31 may be connected'by a lin'e 94 toline 50 to'lsupply waterto condenser 31. :rreraauy an automatic controlvalve '95' is placed in line 94 and is connected 'by line 96tocompressor 28, to permit head pressure to be applied to actuate valve95. The water passing through condenser 31 is thus regulated in responseto head pressure.

Considering the operation of the device, manual switch 93 is closedthereby actuating motor 29 to operate compressor 28 of the refrigerationsystem and pump P to supply water from sump 51 to header 55 fordistribution in tubes 10. Water flows downwardly through distributingtubes 59 to each tube and strikes distributor 56 therein, distributor 56directing the water toward the interior wall of the tube. Water flowsdownward over the interior wall of each tube 10 and returns to sump 51.The Walls of tubes 10 are refrigerated in spaced portions by means ofcoils 18, 19, 20, 21 and the copper bands 11. Thus water flowing throughthe tubes is cooled and within a short time separate pieces of ice beginto form within the tubes 10 adjacent the refrigerated portions thereof.As ice formation continues, within a short time the spaced pieces of icepresent in the tubes are so large as to impede or retard passage ofcooled water therethrough so that the tubes overflow into trough 12.

Water from trough 12 flows through line 71 into overflow well 72displacing the water therein and cooling bulb 84 so that it becomes thecontrol point. When a predetermined low point is reached thermostat 80is actuated, moving switch lever 81 from a first position to a secondposition, discontinuing operation of pump P and passage of water totubes 10, and actuating solenoid S to move valve 47 to an open positionpermitting heated refrigerant vapor to flow into coils 18, 19, 20, 21 tomelt the formed pieces of ice from the interior walls of tubes 10,simultaneously water in well 72 being in heat exchange relation withline 44 is heated to shift the con trol point of thermostat 80 tocapillary tube portion 83.

Capillary tube portion 83' does not become sufliciently warm to actuatethermostat 80 until all ice is removed from tubes 10 since it is in heatexchange relation primarily with liquid refrigerant condensed by heatexchange of the heated vapor with the formed ice in tubes 10.

Ice drops from tubes 10 by gravity upon reflector 22 and slides intobunker 3 through the openings in the bunker. After the last piece of iceis removed from the tubes, the hot vapor passing into suction line 42raises the temperature of the fill in capillary tube portion 83',thereby actuating thermostat 80 to move from its second position to itsfirst position closing the solenoid valve 47, resuming refrigeration oftubes 10, and starting pump P to supply water from sump 51 through tubes10.

The refrigerating and harvesting cycles repeate automatically until apredetermined quantity of ice is formed. When a predetermined quantityof ice is collected in bunker 3, thermostat 87 is actuated to break theelectrical circuit, discontinuing operation of the machine. Upon removalof ice from bunker 3, thermostat 87 is again actuated to begin operationof the machine.

The present invention provides an economical, automatically operable icecube maker in which header mechanism adequately supplies or distributeswater to the various tubes of the apparatus. The header mechanism iseconomically and quickly manufactured and is very effective in use.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention it will beunderstood my invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwiseembodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with an ice making apparatus having a plurality ofrefrigerated hollow vertical tubes in which ice is formed by flowingliquid through the tubes, liquid header means for supplying liquid tothe tops of the tubes, said liquid header means comprising ahorizontally extending pipe having one closed end and an inlet toreceive liquid from a source of supply, a

series of spaced distributing tubes placed longitudinally of said pipeand extending downward from the pipe to distribute liquid within thetubes, the first and second distributing tubes of the series extendingsubstantially flush with the interior wall of the pipe, subsequentdistributing tubes of the series extending inwardly from the interiorwall of thepipe and'having the extended portion of each tube cut away atan angle to the axis thereof to intercept liquid from the stream flowinginto the pipe, the last distributing tube of the series beingsubstantially flush with the interior wall of the pipe, the distributingtubes being so constructed and arranged within the pipe as to distributeliquid entering the pipe in substantially uniform quantities to thetubes.

2. In combination with an ice making apparatus having a plurality ofrefrigerated hollow vertical tubes in which ice is formed by flowingliquid through the tubes 2. liquid distributor placed in the tubes todirect the liquid against the walls of the tubes, liquid header meansfor supplying liquid to the tops of the tubes, said liquid header meanscomprising a horizontally extending pipe having one closed end and aninlet to receive liquid from a source of supply, a series of spaceddistributing tubes placed longitudinally of the pipe and extendingdownward from the pipe to distribute liquid within the tubes, the firstand second distributing tubes of the series extending substantiallyflush with the interior wall of the pipe, subsequent distributing tubesof the series extending inwardly from the interior wall of the pipe andhaving the extended portion of each tube cut away at an angle to theaxis thereof to intercept liquid from the stream flowing into the pipe,the last distributing tube of the series being substantially flush withthe interior wall of the pipe, the distributing tubes being soconstructed and arranged within the pipe as to distribute liquidentering the pipe in substantially uniform quantities to the tubes.

3. In a header for supplying water to the ice forming tubes of an icecube maker, the combination of a horizontally extending pipe having oneclosed end and an inlet to receive water from a source of supply, aseries of spaced distributing tubes placed longitudinally of the pipeand extending downward from the pipe to distribute water within thetubes, the first and second distributing tubes of the series extendingsubstantially flush with the interior wall of the pipe, subsequentdistributing tubes of the series extending inwardly from the interiorwall of the pipe and having the extended portion of each tube cut awayat an angle to the axis thereof to intercept water from the streamflowing into the pipe, the last distributing tube of the series beingsubstantially flush with the interior wall of the pipe, the distributingtubes being so constructed and arranged within the pipe as to distributeWater entering the pipe in substantially uniform quantities to the iceforming tubes.

4. An ice making apparatus in which ice is formed in a plurality ofrefrigerated hollow vertical tubes by flowing water through the tubes,water distribution means for supplying water to the tubes, saiddistribution means including a horizontally extending pipe having oneclosed end and an inlet to receive water from a source of supply, aseries of distributing tubes extending downward from the pipe todistribute water within the ice forming tubes, the first and secondtubes of the series extending substantially flush with the interior wallof the pipe, subsequent tubes of the series extending inwardly from theinterior wall of the pipe and having the extended portion of each tubecut away at an angle to the axis thereof to intercept water from thestream flowing into the pipe, the last tube of the series beingsubstantially flush with the interior wall of the pipe, the tubes beingso constructed and arranged within the pipe as to distribute waterentering the pipe in substantially uniform quantities to the ice formingtubes, and water distributors kci tgzmes --.Git i1in thefiie ,Q th rptgmt UNITED STATES PATENTS Grant Aug. 1239

